Echovolt Greece 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: While it would be nice to think that this EP of melodic analogue techno and shuffling deep house was the work of hyperactive British eccentric Richard O'Brien (less so the irritating Ed Tudor-Pole), Crystal Maze is in fact Amsterdam-based duo G-string and Marco Antonio Spaventi. Having previously impressed with releases on aDepth Audio and Bio Rhythm, they now find themselves on Greek imprint Echovolt, a label famed for the depth and variety of their analogue explorations. All three tracks ripple with feverish humidity, from the Mood Hut/Future Times-ish tropical pagan shuffle of "Orchidea Nera" (think Confused House meets the Belleville Three) and sumptuous "DECAY", to the apocalyptic, droning pulse of "XR84".

Review: Greek label Echovolt continue to impress with their output as they coax some all new material from Baltimore based producer Entro Senestre. Responsible for one of our favourite contributions to the WT imprint in the form of "La Caccia", the sense of fragile analogue emotion that ran through that is matched by the four "slamming neo-underground dance tracks" Senestra provides for the sixth Echovolt release. Opening track "Flashbacks" plays brilliantly with elements of rhythmic release, as jackhammer drums build steamily before giving way to the spiralling melodics repeatedly throughout. Alongside this "Sun High" is no less frenetic, with Senestre's attentions focused on the ever cascading hi-hats and effervescent manipulation of those kaleidoscopic melodic touches. "One Time For Your Mind" shows Senestra in a much darker mood, tensely driving through 808 laden industrial techno that ripples with lysergic energy, while "Uncertain Tragedy" is a supreme slalom through a tape saturated future vision of Detroit techno. Senestre might not be as familiar to you as previous Echovolt incumbents such as Legowelt and LIES but this EP fully maintains the standards they set.

Review: Echovolt boss Ilias Pitsios has gone on record with his effusive praise for Miltiades, telling the Test Pressing site the unheralded button pusher was "probably the best producer from Greece as far as deep house / techno stuff is concerned." Anyone that checked Miltiades' debut 12" for the Nous label last year will attest to that however, and it makes for great news to see the producer's latest offering come via Echovolt. There is a sense of simplicity realised in crystalline perfection that drives forth productions from Miltiades, and it's in abundance on the three original productions that feature on the Stmete EP. This record is made all the more tempting by a typically star-gazing remix of the title track from Gifted & Blessed under his lesser used alias The Reflektor.

Review: The quite prolific Italian producer Simoncino adds Echovolt to his already impressive array of record label outlets - Skylax, On The Prowl, Mathematics and Quintessential is a pretty flossy CV by any standards. The Greek label themselves have also impressed with every step they take in their short release history to date, and Simoncino's Werehouse EP continues Echovolt's remit of releasing house music steeped in analogue detail. "Chicago" commences like an off cut from John Carpenter's recording studio before settling into a bewitching melange of chiming melodies, crisp drum patterns and gushing pads. Alongside it "Ocean" applies vast swathes of analogue texture over the rough hewn drum sounds that filter through the run out grooves of countless Mathematics releases and there are of course plenty of seaside effects washed over the top. The flip holds the title track as well as a remix from Echovolt regular and Juno hero Legowelt, which is reason enough to investigate!

Review: It was just over a year ago that Athens label Echovolt dipped their toes into the reissue market with an official new edition of NYC house classic Giv Ya Luv Show Ya Luv by Vil-N-X. After a swathe of more contemporary-focused releases, Echovolt returns with their second reissue which finds them focus on some early '90s gems from the New Jersey house scene. Scholars of the era will no doubt know Wayne Gardiner for his output as Logic and Classic Man for iconic labels such as Nervous and Strictly Rhythm, but prior to that he slipped out two 12"s for NJ label Right Area Records as Sound Source. This edition for Echovolt features cuts from both those records that have been fully remastered from the og DAT tapes! Despite being over 20 years old, all four productions sound remarkably fresh, not least the closing "Jazz House" (Element mix) - check that sax!

Review: Echovolt has released a lot of fine electronic music over the last seven years, but surprisingly Messages From A Better Destiny marks their first foray into the album market. It comes from up-start Greek outfit Templeyard Studios, and marks the duo's recording debut. Apparently "the result of research on another way of understanding the human soul", the album's six thematic tracks mix modular sounding electronics, L.I.E.S style industrial techno crustiness, dystopian electro rhythms and spacey synthesizer textures. It's a mixture that guarantees macabre, end-of-days intensity, but also fleeting moments of sonic beauty.

Review: Since it's foundation in 2009, the Athens based Echovolt Records has established itself as the Hellenic branch of a loose international network of labels and artists that includes the likes of Rush Hour, LIES and WT Records. Having dipped into double figures release wise, Echovolt expand their remit with the launch of an official reissues series that the label hopes will offer some insight into the sounds that shaped their identity. First up in the series is the underground NYC house smash '"Give Ya Luv Show Ya Luv" by Vil-N-X; originally released on Island Noyze Records back in 1992, this edition of the release draws on two highly sought after mixes of the original which have been fully remastered and pressed loud. If you enjoyed the series of classic NYC house reissues on Rush Hour last year then you need to check this!